Display device.



J. HOLMES. DISPLAY DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 1910. 1,019,151 Patented Mar. 5, 1912.

w um Witnesses: Invenim": Jbhn Jiblnws,

JOHN HOLMES, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

DISPLAY DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 5, 1912.

Application filed April 21, 1910. Serial No. 556,832.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HoLMns, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Display Devices, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like numerals on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to display devices and pertains more particularly to a device for supporting the article to be displayed.

In order that the principles of the invention may be fully understood, I have disclosed a single type or embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a planview of my invention, showing the parts in operative engagement. Fig. 3 is a similar plan view illustrating the mechanism in the unlocked position. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section on line H of Fig. 2 and, Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the single type or embodiment of the invention herein represented, I have illustrated a short portion of a supporting rail similar in purpose to a picture molding, though its use herein is not confined to that sole function. The invention may be used on any vertical supporting member as a wall, or uprights for displaying pictures or the like, or it may be used on a display rack or frame for the display of merchandise. Herein the supporting rail 10 is provided with a horizontal supporting face 11 and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined interlocking face 12 parallel longitudinally to the supporting face 11. The front face 15 of the rail may be of any desired width and if it is necessary for additional strength the rail may be provided with a downwardly extending flange 16 of any length and ornamentation. The rail 10 is suitably secured to the wall or uprights by any suitable means or fastening. Vermin, germs, filth, and dirt cannot collect or accumulate on the supporting face as in the old grooved type of molding. The flat top or supporting face of the rail is accessible and easily cleaned and kept free of undesirable accumulations. The form of rail is adapted to various modifications for display purposes not possessed by similar rails or molding.

Cooperating with the rail 10 and longitudinally adjustable thereon, is a detachable suspension member 20, provided with a lateral or rearwardly projecting supporting portion 21. The suspension member 20 is also provided with a lateral upwardly and rearwardly projecting rail engaging portion 22 adapted to engage and interlock with the face 12 on the rail. In order to bring the interlocking portion 22 and the interlocking face 12 into operative engagement and permit of longitudinal adjustment or the removal of the suspension member 20 from the rail, the supporting portion 21 is provided with a locking means. Herein the supporting portion 21 is provided at the end with a bore through which is revolubly mounted the stud 24 of a pivotal wedge member 25. See Figs. 2 and 4. The supporting portion 21 is undercut beneath the bore and the wedge member 25 is oE-set from the stud 24 by means of a lug 26 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The suspension member 20 is provided with any suitable hook or lug 28 from which articles or goods to be displayed may be hung or upon which may be placed a shelf upon which the goods may be displayed.

The application and operation of my invention is as follows: A suitable rail of the type illustrated and described is secured to uprights or to the wall and the suspension member 20 is placed on the rail in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 with the lug 26 engaging the undercut or off-set on the end of the supporting portion 21 and with the wedge 25 out of engagement with said supporting portion. When the above mentioned parts are in this position the under face of the wedge 25 and the supporting portion 21 are in substantially the same plane and the rail engaging portion 22 easily passes beneath the face 12 on the rail 10. The suspension member 20 is moved longitudinally of the rail to the desired point and the supporting portion 21 raised from the rail. The wedge member 25 is now moved about its pivot and between the rail 10 and the supporting portion 21 until the rail engaglng portion 22 is in contact with the.

20 is securely locked to the rail and cannot be released or accidentally removed by the Weight of the article displayed or by carelessness, thereby providing a safe and sanitary supporting device. 7

Having thus described my invention, I desire 'it'to' be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not-,for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

1. A device for supporting pictures, comprising in combination, a supporting rail and a detachable suspension member, said rail having a flat supporting face and an inclined interlocking face intermediate the top and bottom. edges thereof, said suspension member including at the top a supporting portion having a movable locking member, and an interlocking port-ion to engage the flat supporting face and interlocking face respectively.

2. A device for supporting pictures, comprising in combination a supporting rail, a fiat supporting face thereon, an interlocking portion terminating at the front face 'of the said rail, a detachable suspension member including a flat supporting portion at the top thereof and a rearwardly projecting interlocking portion cooperating with the interlocking portion on said rail, and pivotal locking means on said fiat supporting portion and cooperating therewith to lock said supporting portion and said interlocking portion on the suspension member to the interlocking portion on the rail.

7 3. A device for supporting pictures comprising in combination a supporting rail, a fiat supporting face'thereon, an interlocking portion inclined rearwardly from the front edge of the rail, a detachable supporting member on said rail, said member including a straight rearwardly projecting supporting portion at the top thereof and an upwardly inclined portion adapted to engage said inclined interlocking face, and pivotal wedging means on said straight rearwardly projecting portion and cooperating therewith to lock said supporting portion and said inclined interlocking portion to the rail.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN HOLMES.

Witnesses:

ROBERT W. STANLEY, CHARLES F. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). G. 

